Engines are beginning to rev for the 56th Cilwendeg Rally being held this weekend, organised by the Teifi Valley Motor Club (TVMC) and sponsored by Forge Garage of Aberaeron. Writes Anwen Francis
90 cars will take to the roads of Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and parts of Pembrokeshire in this annual, well organised road rally and the title could be anyone’s to take.
Clerk of the Course, Richard ‘Dicky’ Evans says it will be a demanding rally and that the last nine months of preparation will ensure a terrific night for all.
“Organising this rally is like having a baby – there’s a nine month wait from start to finish, and every year, I say never again. But when you see the competitors enjoying themselves, the sleepless nights are well worth it and having ticked all the boxes prior to the event, we can all look forward to a good night,” said Richard, past TVMC Chairman.
The top ten cars will see five times winner John ‘Tyres’ Davies and four times winner navigator Eurig ‘Woosh’ Davies in car one (pictured above).
“I’ve hardly done any road rallies for the past three years, but I had to do Cilwendeg. It’s a local event and gives you a buzz like no other rally. It gives you a terrific feeling and it’s right on my doorstep,” said Woosh.
Car one will be closely followed by Kevin Davies and Dale Bowen. Kevin will be starting the rally in a confident manner having won Powys Lanes only a few weeks ago. Third car will be Reian Jones and Cadog Davies – a very talented duo who can switch seats with confidence and are definitely a pair to look out for.
“Anyone in the top ten could take it, and anyone in the whole rally is in with a chance to win. Kevin Davies, in car two, is on it and can wipe the floor with anyone. It will be an interesting event.”
The rally, with several triangles will be a lot smoother than in previous years, with less whites and forms part of the Welsh Road Rally Championship (WAMC) and the Association of North Western Clubs (ANWCC).
It’s main sponsor for 2016 is Forge Garage, Aberaeron and will see proprietor Adrian ‘Forge’ Davies (Cilwendeg winner in 2007 with navigator Dylan Jenkins and 2014 with Aled Richards) again with Aled Richards in car five.
“On a personal level, for my generation, the Cilwendeg is the one we all want to win and there is no better rally to win. I’ve been a member of the TVMC for over 30 years and I’ve competed in the Cilwendeg for over 20 years. Saturday night will be a bit of fun this year as I haven’t sat in the rally car since the Cilwendeg last year,” laughed Adrian who is delighted to be sponsoring the event.
Richard added: “The rally will be a tough one with not too many non-competitive sections and not too much time to drop. There will be a string of four two mile sections and I hope the boys will enjoy it.”
TIMELINE HALL OF FAME AND SOME ARCHIVE PICS FROM LONG AGO!
2005 Tony Davies / Graham Dance
2006 John Davies / Neil Bevan
2007 Adrian Jones / Dylan Jenkins
2008 John Davies / Eurig Davies
2009 John Davies / Eurig Davies
2010 Daniel Jones / Graham Dance
2011 Kevin Davies / Dale Furniss
2012 John Davies / Eurig Davies
2013 Kevin Davies / Dale Bowen
2014 Adrian Jones / Aled Richards
2015 John Davies / Eurig Davies
CLASSES.
The event which is open to all fully elected members of the organising club or members of clubs affiliated to the Welsh Association of Motor Clubs, will consist of 3 classes:
Class 1 – Masters
Any crew members having finished 1st Overall in a restricted (National B) or higher status rally within the last 5 years and any previous winners of the Rali Cilwendeg Rally.
Class 2 – Experts
Either member of the crew having finished in the top 10 of a National B Restricted or higher status event or the top 5 of a clubmans rally.
Class 3 – Semi Experts / Novices-All crews not eligible for the other two classes.
